(SS) Harvey v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Christie Michele Harvey (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of 13 the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application 14 for disability insurance benefits pursuant to Title II of the Social Security Act. The matter is 15 before the Court on the parties’ briefs which were submitted without oral argument to the 16 Honorable Gary S. Austin, United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 23, 27, 29. After 17 reviewing the record the Court finds that substantial evidence and applicable law support the 18 ALJ’s decision. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s appeal is denied.

II. Procedural Background

20 On June 1, 2015 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits claiming disability 21 beginning December 1, 2011 due to lumbar spine disorder, pelvis disorder, bilateral knee arthritis, 22 left toe arthritis, and tennis elbow. AR 147, 365–66. The Commissioner denied the application 23 initially on September 25, 2015, and on reconsideration on January 27, 2016. AR 148, 156. 24 Plaintiff requested a hearing, which was held before Administrative Law Judge Ruxana 25 Meyer (the “ALJ”) on September…